Plastic Injections Molding Company Gets Noticed for Finding New Alternatives to Metal

Thogus Products Company, a boutique manufacturer of engineered components and molded products, is receiving notoriety for their industry leading innovations.

Avon Lake, Ohio (PRWEB) May 21, 2008 -- Thogus Plastics Company is innovating the plastic injections molding industry with new metal replacement alternatives in a variety of applications. The company was recently featured in Plastics Business, a magazine targeting the plastics processing business executive, for their ability to look to the future of plastics injection molding rather than clinging to the past.

There are many unusual factors that are helping Thogus Products get noticed by such leading publications in the plastics industry. It is a family owned company in its third generation, and the current president and owner is a woman. Kathleen Hlavin, the daughter of Thogus cofounder Jack Thompson, is positioning the company as a custom manufacturer of highly engineered components, metal replacement solutions, and the company's original molded products, tube and hose fittings. Their unique business model is to work with customers in the industrial, medical, pharmaceutical, automotive, electronics, lawn & garden, plumbing, and government industries to produce low volumes of 50 pieces or less, or medium-high volumes of more than 10 million pieces.

As the article in Plastics Business explains, Thogus went in a whole new direction in the 1990s, after plastics industry changes led Hlavin to shift their focus from automotive clients to other markets. They now offer clients in various industries the ability to generate larger returns with metal replacement products made of highly engineered polymers, which allow them to consolidate parts and ease the manufacturing process. Their custom products also eliminate corrosion, reduce noise and decrease part's weight.

To compete in a market that was increasingly going overseas, according to Plastics Business, Thogus also looked at low volume business. While low volume manufacturing doesn't work for China or other overseas producers, Thogus was able to form strategic partnerships with engineered material manufacturers such as PolyOne and GE Plastics for smaller custom orders. "We went to them and said, 'you're very good at developing materials - you have the scientists, the innovations, and the capital - but do you know how to sell them?,'" said Hlavin in Plastics Business "Their understanding of the product, the customer, and the different applications was a little limited. As a molder, we understood the parts and processes."

The company is keeping an eye towards the future of metal replacement and plastics manufacturing, with an interest in strategic alliances and acquisitions, according to Plastics Business. In order to grow their business across the country, Thogus Products needs to have locations that can service its customers near their business locations, since most customers prefer working with manufacturers close to home.

To view the article about Thogus Products in Plastics Business magazine, go to http://www.plasticsbusinessmag.com/wp/?p=33.

For additional information about the company, visit www.thogus.com.

About Thogus Products:
Thogus Products Company is a custom plastic injection molder headquartered just outside of Cleveland, specializing in metal replacement solutions, tube and hose fittings, and tight tolerance molding. Specializing in lead replacement through custom and proprietary injection molding using engineered resins, Thogus has positioned itself as a boutique manufacturer capable of meeting specific needs, yet large enough to fulfill large volume orders.

Thogus Products Company began life as Master Mold & Die in 1950. Founders Jack Thompson and Walter Gus quickly established a name for themselves in the mold and die industry, operating as a tool and die shop specializing in building molds for the developing plastics industry. In 1958, Thompson and Gus realized they had moved beyond a simple tool and die shop. They formed Thogus Products, and molded the first nylon and polyethylene plastic tube and hose fittings. This proprietary product line became a mainstay for Thogus and continues to grow as applications for less costly, more durable plastic fittings increase.

Thogus is now in its third generation of family ownership. Under the leadership of Kathleen Hlavin, president and daughter of Jack Thompson, and her son, Matt Hlavin, Thogus has positioned itself as a boutique manufacturer of:

• Complete system manufacturing and assembly
• Highly engineered components
• Metal replacement solutions
• Tube and hose fittings.

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